Services

Plans for 1,700 new homes in Horwich recommended for approval

PLANS to build 1,700 homes on the former Horwich Loco Works site have been recommended for approval by Horwich Town Council.

But councillors have demanded assurances about the impact of traffic on the site and the removal of contaminated items.

A proposal was put forward by Cllr Kevin McKeon at the town’s planning committee, who suggested the plans, submitted by developers Horwich Vision, should be generally supported by the town council but with conditions.

Developers have said the “new town”, called Rivington Chase, could an extra £19 million to the local economy.

A public meeting on Monday heard concerns from residents about the volume of traffic and the unknown amount of products such as asbestos and cyanide that may remain on the loco works site.

Horwich Vision said it plans to spend £200,000 investigating contamination by asbestos and cyanide deposits in the area — which has about 160 bore holes — and is working with three former workers to find the areas most affected.

Cllr McKeon said: "I propose that we accept this outline application in principle as there are real economic benefits and it will get rid of a contaminated site.

"But I would suggest conditions are included that the planners must be confident of the removal of all the contamination and secondly that they ensure some transport mitigation."

But the council’s Lib Dem leader, Steve Rock, disagreed, suggesting a decision should be deferred until more answers were provided about key issues.

He said: “I still don’t feel we have had enough of the answers that we need — I think we still need to look at the impact on the town in the future.

“I have real concerns about things like healthcare and the contamination on the site — I think we should defer a decision until we have more information.”

There were also protestations from residents.

Colin Sherrington, who lives in Stocks Park, said: “I am 69-years-old and we are talking about a project that could take 15 to 20 years to make, no-one here is doing this for themselves, this is about the impact on our children and grandchildren and I want you to pass that thought on to Bolton Council.”

The town council voted with Cllr McKeon to recommend approval with the conditions discussed and a final decision on the plans will be made by Bolton Council’s planning committee at a later date.

Comments

1700 new homes could mean another 5000 people at least. Will Horwich also be getting the extra public amenities such as schools, parks etc that it deserves. It's a lot of extra council tax being paid.

1700 new homes could mean another 5000 people at least. Will Horwich also be getting the extra public amenities such as schools, parks etc that it deserves. It's a lot of extra council tax being paid.irwell1

1700 new homes could mean another 5000 people at least. Will Horwich also be getting the extra public amenities such as schools, parks etc that it deserves. It's a lot of extra council tax being paid.

Score: 9

Blackrod
9:56am Sun 23 Mar 14

Time to build a second level road over the existing ones? Let's face it traffic is a messy congested bottle neck as it is.

Time to build a second level road over the existing ones? Let's face it traffic is a messy congested bottle neck as it is.Blackrod

Time to build a second level road over the existing ones? Let's face it traffic is a messy congested bottle neck as it is.

Score: 9

FreedomOfSpeech1945
9:57am Sun 23 Mar 14

Disgusting. Bye bye Horwich, once a lovely little village. Building on Rivington next????

Disgusting. Bye bye Horwich, once a lovely little village. Building on Rivington next????FreedomOfSpeech1945

Disgusting. Bye bye Horwich, once a lovely little village. Building on Rivington next????

Score: 10

7H3 541N7
10:56am Sun 23 Mar 14

We always knew that this would be the case. No one cares what we actually thought, the go through the motions but the decision was always made. They know the town cannot sustain that many extra homes without better transport, roads etc. more amenities, doctors surgeries, schools (we are at a stage where realistically at least 2 new primary schools and a new secondary school would be required) dentists etc. These things would need to be in place BEFORE the homes to take up the demand as people move in. The money they say it will bring will largely be temporary and will create a lot more competition for jobs. Yes some more will be created but we will be adding more people than jobs available. Typical that short term gains are put well above long term nightmares. The next lot of local elections will be interesting.

We always knew that this would be the case. No one cares what we actually thought, the go through the motions but the decision was always made. They know the town cannot sustain that many extra homes without better transport, roads etc. more amenities, doctors surgeries, schools (we are at a stage where realistically at least 2 new primary schools and a new secondary school would be required) dentists etc. These things would need to be in place BEFORE the homes to take up the demand as people move in. The money they say it will bring will largely be temporary and will create a lot more competition for jobs. Yes some more will be created but we will be adding more people than jobs available. Typical that short term gains are put well above long term nightmares. The next lot of local elections will be interesting.7H3 541N7

We always knew that this would be the case. No one cares what we actually thought, the go through the motions but the decision was always made. They know the town cannot sustain that many extra homes without better transport, roads etc. more amenities, doctors surgeries, schools (we are at a stage where realistically at least 2 new primary schools and a new secondary school would be required) dentists etc. These things would need to be in place BEFORE the homes to take up the demand as people move in. The money they say it will bring will largely be temporary and will create a lot more competition for jobs. Yes some more will be created but we will be adding more people than jobs available. Typical that short term gains are put well above long term nightmares. The next lot of local elections will be interesting.

Score: 6

BWFC71
11:49am Sun 23 Mar 14

FreedomOfSpeech1945 wrote…

Disgusting. Bye bye Horwich, once a lovely little village. Building on Rivington next????

That will be for Chorley to decide as Bolton has no say what happens in Rivington, and haven't had since the 1820's!!!

[quote][p][bold]FreedomOfSpeech1945[/bold] wrote:
Disgusting. Bye bye Horwich, once a lovely little village. Building on Rivington next????[/p][/quote]That will be for Chorley to decide as Bolton has no say what happens in Rivington, and haven't had since the 1820's!!!BWFC71

FreedomOfSpeech1945 wrote…

Disgusting. Bye bye Horwich, once a lovely little village. Building on Rivington next????

That will be for Chorley to decide as Bolton has no say what happens in Rivington, and haven't had since the 1820's!!!

Score: -25

Rememberscarborough
12:15pm Sun 23 Mar 14

1700 homes would bring in an estimates 2500-3000 salary earning people bringing in an estimated £50-100m+ per year spending capacity that can only benefit the local community. However, it could easily bring in 2,000+ children requiring schooling and there's no way the local schools could cope with that influx. These people will also require GPs and dentists both of which are struggling to cope with the existing demand let alone a huge influx that we're talking about.

This scheme has the potential to benefit the whole of Bolton greatly but if the planning isn't carried out properly it also has the potential to be an unmitigated disaster. I don't believe our local planning committee have the necessary experience of organising such a development so they're going to look to bring in people who have the skills needed to fulfill a massive project like this.

1700 homes would bring in an estimates 2500-3000 salary earning people bringing in an estimated £50-100m+ per year spending capacity that can only benefit the local community. However, it could easily bring in 2,000+ children requiring schooling and there's no way the local schools could cope with that influx. These people will also require GPs and dentists both of which are struggling to cope with the existing demand let alone a huge influx that we're talking about.
This scheme has the potential to benefit the whole of Bolton greatly but if the planning isn't carried out properly it also has the potential to be an unmitigated disaster. I don't believe our local planning committee have the necessary experience of organising such a development so they're going to look to bring in people who have the skills needed to fulfill a massive project like this.Rememberscarborough

1700 homes would bring in an estimates 2500-3000 salary earning people bringing in an estimated £50-100m+ per year spending capacity that can only benefit the local community. However, it could easily bring in 2,000+ children requiring schooling and there's no way the local schools could cope with that influx. These people will also require GPs and dentists both of which are struggling to cope with the existing demand let alone a huge influx that we're talking about.

This scheme has the potential to benefit the whole of Bolton greatly but if the planning isn't carried out properly it also has the potential to be an unmitigated disaster. I don't believe our local planning committee have the necessary experience of organising such a development so they're going to look to bring in people who have the skills needed to fulfill a massive project like this.

Score: 0

boydell
12:39pm Sun 23 Mar 14

I trust we will be informed with regard to the "later date"....preferably before the meeting not after it.
I will make a point of being there as I was on Monday. I would like to see the faces of the Bolton Councillors as they go against the majority of the Horwich residents, as did the Horwich councillors on Monday last.
It was a complete waste of time being at the meeting, but at least I know now what these councillors who don't give a toss look like.
If I was them I would not bother standing for the next election. This is one voter who would rather vote for Screaming Lord Such if he lived in Horwich.

I trust we will be informed with regard to the "later date"....preferably before the meeting not after it.
I will make a point of being there as I was on Monday. I would like to see the faces of the Bolton Councillors as they go against the majority of the Horwich residents, as did the Horwich councillors on Monday last.
It was a complete waste of time being at the meeting, but at least I know now what these councillors who don't give a toss look like.
If I was them I would not bother standing for the next election. This is one voter who would rather vote for Screaming Lord Such if he lived in Horwich.boydell

I trust we will be informed with regard to the "later date"....preferably before the meeting not after it.
I will make a point of being there as I was on Monday. I would like to see the faces of the Bolton Councillors as they go against the majority of the Horwich residents, as did the Horwich councillors on Monday last.
It was a complete waste of time being at the meeting, but at least I know now what these councillors who don't give a toss look like.
If I was them I would not bother standing for the next election. This is one voter who would rather vote for Screaming Lord Such if he lived in Horwich.

Score: 5

The Running Man
1:24pm Sun 23 Mar 14

The houses are going to be built somewhere, so why not here? Take advantage of the extra money (as mentioned above) and let Horwich grow. Just think, one day you could have a town centre as vibrant and welcoming as Bolton's. Ooh, I'm so excited I could crush a grape!

The houses are going to be built somewhere, so why not here? Take advantage of the extra money (as mentioned above) and let Horwich grow. Just think, one day you could have a town centre as vibrant and welcoming as Bolton's. Ooh, I'm so excited I could crush a grape!The Running Man

The houses are going to be built somewhere, so why not here? Take advantage of the extra money (as mentioned above) and let Horwich grow. Just think, one day you could have a town centre as vibrant and welcoming as Bolton's. Ooh, I'm so excited I could crush a grape!

Score: 0

steverock6@sky.com
1:44pm Sun 23 Mar 14

I did try and get it deferred to get the answers about education, health and road plans along with the concerns over education unfortunately my proposal was outvoted by Labour councillors Cllr mckoen even asked me did I not enjoy being on Bolton council (meaning why am I sticking up for Bolton) I replied yes but when I was there I stuck up for Horwich not Bolton he obviously did not like my reply!

I did try and get it deferred to get the answers about education, health and road plans along with the concerns over education unfortunately my proposal was outvoted by Labour councillors Cllr mckoen even asked me did I not enjoy being on Bolton council (meaning why am I sticking up for Bolton) I replied yes but when I was there I stuck up for Horwich not Bolton he obviously did not like my reply!steverock6@sky.com

I did try and get it deferred to get the answers about education, health and road plans along with the concerns over education unfortunately my proposal was outvoted by Labour councillors Cllr mckoen even asked me did I not enjoy being on Bolton council (meaning why am I sticking up for Bolton) I replied yes but when I was there I stuck up for Horwich not Bolton he obviously did not like my reply!

Score: 0

DC Ferret
2:15pm Sun 23 Mar 14

FreedomOfSpeech1945 wrote…

Disgusting. Bye bye Horwich, once a lovely little village. Building on Rivington next????

Disgusting. Bye bye Horwich, once a lovely little village. Building on Rivington next????

????????????????????
??????????????

Score: 2

BWFC71
2:27pm Sun 23 Mar 14

Rememberscarborough wrote…

1700 homes would bring in an estimates 2500-3000 salary earning people bringing in an estimated £50-100m+ per year spending capacity that can only benefit the local community. However, it could easily bring in 2,000+ children requiring schooling and there's no way the local schools could cope with that influx. These people will also require GPs and dentists both of which are struggling to cope with the existing demand let alone a huge influx that we're talking about. This scheme has the potential to benefit the whole of Bolton greatly but if the planning isn't carried out properly it also has the potential to be an unmitigated disaster. I don't believe our local planning committee have the necessary experience of organising such a development so they're going to look to bring in people who have the skills needed to fulfill a massive project like this.

Totally agree with what you say.

yes nice to have more people which mans more spending power to be spent in the borough but lets not forget the basics which ARE required - health, education and transport network (ie roads, motorways and influence transport companies to increase services and routes so that traffic congestion will be minimal!

[quote][p][bold]Rememberscarborough[/bold] wrote:
1700 homes would bring in an estimates 2500-3000 salary earning people bringing in an estimated £50-100m+ per year spending capacity that can only benefit the local community. However, it could easily bring in 2,000+ children requiring schooling and there's no way the local schools could cope with that influx. These people will also require GPs and dentists both of which are struggling to cope with the existing demand let alone a huge influx that we're talking about. This scheme has the potential to benefit the whole of Bolton greatly but if the planning isn't carried out properly it also has the potential to be an unmitigated disaster. I don't believe our local planning committee have the necessary experience of organising such a development so they're going to look to bring in people who have the skills needed to fulfill a massive project like this.[/p][/quote]Totally agree with what you say.
yes nice to have more people which mans more spending power to be spent in the borough but lets not forget the basics which ARE required - health, education and transport network (ie roads, motorways and influence transport companies to increase services and routes so that traffic congestion will be minimal!BWFC71

Rememberscarborough wrote…

1700 homes would bring in an estimates 2500-3000 salary earning people bringing in an estimated £50-100m+ per year spending capacity that can only benefit the local community. However, it could easily bring in 2,000+ children requiring schooling and there's no way the local schools could cope with that influx. These people will also require GPs and dentists both of which are struggling to cope with the existing demand let alone a huge influx that we're talking about. This scheme has the potential to benefit the whole of Bolton greatly but if the planning isn't carried out properly it also has the potential to be an unmitigated disaster. I don't believe our local planning committee have the necessary experience of organising such a development so they're going to look to bring in people who have the skills needed to fulfill a massive project like this.

Totally agree with what you say.

yes nice to have more people which mans more spending power to be spent in the borough but lets not forget the basics which ARE required - health, education and transport network (ie roads, motorways and influence transport companies to increase services and routes so that traffic congestion will be minimal!

Score: -35

Brumas
7:46pm Sun 23 Mar 14

Forget, the arguments about Houses, Jobs, Roads, Schools, Doctors and Health Centres, they will come to nought if the problem of CONTAMINATION is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. They alone will ultimately have the last say on this matter, because if the Bolton MBC and the Developers get it wrong it will end up in very costly litigation. For evidence of this please, please Google “asbestosfocus.co.
uk” and follow the links in the Menu. Particularly “Case studies” then “Spodden Valley” “Armley Asbestos Disaster” and compare the parallels, parallels that should jump from the pages, like, “The factory specialised in the manufacture of Asbestos insulation mattresses for steam locomotive boilers, which ultimately were used at Horwich Loco Works and now are buried by the HUNDREDS of TONS in unknown location throughout the development site. This is not to mention the unknown whereabouts of other contaminants, such as Cyanide, Arsenic and Heavy Metals.
When you have read and taken in just some of the information, you will understand why people are very, very worried.

Forget, the arguments about Houses, Jobs, Roads, Schools, Doctors and Health Centres, they will come to nought if the problem of CONTAMINATION is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. They alone will ultimately have the last say on this matter, because if the Bolton MBC and the Developers get it wrong it will end up in very costly litigation. For evidence of this please, please Google “asbestosfocus.co.
uk” and follow the links in the Menu. Particularly “Case studies” then “Spodden Valley” “Armley Asbestos Disaster” and compare the parallels, parallels that should jump from the pages, like, “The factory specialised in the manufacture of Asbestos insulation mattresses for steam locomotive boilers, which ultimately were used at Horwich Loco Works and now are buried by the HUNDREDS of TONS in unknown location throughout the development site. This is not to mention the unknown whereabouts of other contaminants, such as Cyanide, Arsenic and Heavy Metals.
When you have read and taken in just some of the information, you will understand why people are very, very worried.Brumas

Forget, the arguments about Houses, Jobs, Roads, Schools, Doctors and Health Centres, they will come to nought if the problem of CONTAMINATION is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. They alone will ultimately have the last say on this matter, because if the Bolton MBC and the Developers get it wrong it will end up in very costly litigation. For evidence of this please, please Google “asbestosfocus.co.
uk” and follow the links in the Menu. Particularly “Case studies” then “Spodden Valley” “Armley Asbestos Disaster” and compare the parallels, parallels that should jump from the pages, like, “The factory specialised in the manufacture of Asbestos insulation mattresses for steam locomotive boilers, which ultimately were used at Horwich Loco Works and now are buried by the HUNDREDS of TONS in unknown location throughout the development site. This is not to mention the unknown whereabouts of other contaminants, such as Cyanide, Arsenic and Heavy Metals.
When you have read and taken in just some of the information, you will understand why people are very, very worried.

Score: 3

boydell
8:48pm Sun 23 Mar 14

steverock6@sky.com wrote…

I did try and get it deferred to get the answers about education, health and road plans along with the concerns over education unfortunately my proposal was outvoted by Labour councillors Cllr mckoen even asked me did I not enjoy being on Bolton council (meaning why am I sticking up for Bolton) I replied yes but when I was there I stuck up for Horwich not Bolton he obviously did not like my reply!

you are a very sincere man Steve, you have plenty of supporters.

[quote][p][bold]steverock6@sky.com[/bold] wrote:
I did try and get it deferred to get the answers about education, health and road plans along with the concerns over education unfortunately my proposal was outvoted by Labour councillors Cllr mckoen even asked me did I not enjoy being on Bolton council (meaning why am I sticking up for Bolton) I replied yes but when I was there I stuck up for Horwich not Bolton he obviously did not like my reply![/p][/quote]you are a very sincere man Steve, you have plenty of supporters.boydell

steverock6@sky.com wrote…

I did try and get it deferred to get the answers about education, health and road plans along with the concerns over education unfortunately my proposal was outvoted by Labour councillors Cllr mckoen even asked me did I not enjoy being on Bolton council (meaning why am I sticking up for Bolton) I replied yes but when I was there I stuck up for Horwich not Bolton he obviously did not like my reply!

you are a very sincere man Steve, you have plenty of supporters.

Score: 0

FreedomOfSpeech1945
8:52pm Sun 23 Mar 14

The road network cannot cope as it is during the rush hour, so let's add 1700 new homes in to the equation - absolutely mental! Get a railway line in, the demand will be there! That is all.

The road network cannot cope as it is during the rush hour, so let's add 1700 new homes in to the equation - absolutely mental! Get a railway line in, the demand will be there! That is all.FreedomOfSpeech1945

The road network cannot cope as it is during the rush hour, so let's add 1700 new homes in to the equation - absolutely mental! Get a railway line in, the demand will be there! That is all.

Score: 1

soup153
9:41pm Sun 23 Mar 14

Wait till you get the Manchester over spill like Westhoughton, you will have something to moan about then.

Wait till you get the Manchester over spill like Westhoughton, you will have something to moan about then.soup153

Wait till you get the Manchester over spill like Westhoughton, you will have something to moan about then.

Score: -2

steverock6@sky.com
9:53pm Sun 23 Mar 14

boydell wrote…

steverock6@sky.com wrote…

I did try and get it deferred to get the answers about education, health and road plans along with the concerns over education unfortunately my proposal was outvoted by Labour councillors Cllr mckoen even asked me did I not enjoy being on Bolton council (meaning why am I sticking up for Bolton) I replied yes but when I was there I stuck up for Horwich not Bolton he obviously did not like my reply!

you are a very sincere man Steve, you have plenty of supporters.

Thanks that means a lot to me

[quote][p][bold]boydell[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]steverock6@sky.com[/bold] wrote:
I did try and get it deferred to get the answers about education, health and road plans along with the concerns over education unfortunately my proposal was outvoted by Labour councillors Cllr mckoen even asked me did I not enjoy being on Bolton council (meaning why am I sticking up for Bolton) I replied yes but when I was there I stuck up for Horwich not Bolton he obviously did not like my reply![/p][/quote]you are a very sincere man Steve, you have plenty of supporters.[/p][/quote]Thanks that means a lot to mesteverock6@sky.com

boydell wrote…

steverock6@sky.com wrote…

I did try and get it deferred to get the answers about education, health and road plans along with the concerns over education unfortunately my proposal was outvoted by Labour councillors Cllr mckoen even asked me did I not enjoy being on Bolton council (meaning why am I sticking up for Bolton) I replied yes but when I was there I stuck up for Horwich not Bolton he obviously did not like my reply!

you are a very sincere man Steve, you have plenty of supporters.

Thanks that means a lot to me

Score: -1

freddybobic
1:28pm Mon 24 Mar 14

Never have I read anything more depressing than this. Yes, I understand the acute need for new housing and I've been braced for news on the Loco Works for many years but the sheer scale of this development is ridiculous. 1700 houses! How do residents get in an out during Rush hour? Presumably via Chorley New Road which is already gridlocked at breakfast and tea time.
My other annoyance is the complete lack of any reference to the impending annihilation of Horwich's cultural and historical identity. Horwich is a proud railway town, where is the acknowledgement that Britain's last remaining in tact Locomotive works - the thing that defined the town - is about to be wiped from the face of the Earth? These are listed structures-can't some of them be preserved and incorporated into the design as part of a 'town centre' with shops, restaurants, a pub, a dentist, doctors, laundrette, etc. Swindon have gone something similar to this with their old Loco Works.
Ultimately, it comes down the decision of soulless council who are happy to chase the big buck at the cost of any cultural identity. I knew Bolton council were useless at town planning but Horwich seem equally hopeless. What a shame. Would someone from either council please have the decency to at least offer some sort of apology for the callous destruction of something that once put Horwich on the global map.

Never have I read anything more depressing than this. Yes, I understand the acute need for new housing and I've been braced for news on the Loco Works for many years but the sheer scale of this development is ridiculous. 1700 houses! How do residents get in an out during Rush hour? Presumably via Chorley New Road which is already gridlocked at breakfast and tea time.
My other annoyance is the complete lack of any reference to the impending annihilation of Horwich's cultural and historical identity. Horwich is a proud railway town, where is the acknowledgement that Britain's last remaining in tact Locomotive works - the thing that defined the town - is about to be wiped from the face of the Earth? These are listed structures-can't some of them be preserved and incorporated into the design as part of a 'town centre' with shops, restaurants, a pub, a dentist, doctors, laundrette, etc. Swindon have gone something similar to this with their old Loco Works.
Ultimately, it comes down the decision of soulless council who are happy to chase the big buck at the cost of any cultural identity. I knew Bolton council were useless at town planning but Horwich seem equally hopeless. What a shame. Would someone from either council please have the decency to at least offer some sort of apology for the callous destruction of something that once put Horwich on the global map.freddybobic

Never have I read anything more depressing than this. Yes, I understand the acute need for new housing and I've been braced for news on the Loco Works for many years but the sheer scale of this development is ridiculous. 1700 houses! How do residents get in an out during Rush hour? Presumably via Chorley New Road which is already gridlocked at breakfast and tea time.
My other annoyance is the complete lack of any reference to the impending annihilation of Horwich's cultural and historical identity. Horwich is a proud railway town, where is the acknowledgement that Britain's last remaining in tact Locomotive works - the thing that defined the town - is about to be wiped from the face of the Earth? These are listed structures-can't some of them be preserved and incorporated into the design as part of a 'town centre' with shops, restaurants, a pub, a dentist, doctors, laundrette, etc. Swindon have gone something similar to this with their old Loco Works.
Ultimately, it comes down the decision of soulless council who are happy to chase the big buck at the cost of any cultural identity. I knew Bolton council were useless at town planning but Horwich seem equally hopeless. What a shame. Would someone from either council please have the decency to at least offer some sort of apology for the callous destruction of something that once put Horwich on the global map.

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